Love, peace and joy came to Earth on Christmas, they say. In Jamshedpur, men in uniform want to keep it that way.

Steel city police have drawn up a special security map around churches and will impose daylong restrictions on entry of heavy vehicles on Friday to ensure that untoward incidents do not mar the Yuletide cheer.

"Around 300 police jawans will keep strict vigil near various churches. Police stations have been directed to patrol areas where maximum number of prayer services will take place. Local thana OCs will co-ordinate with respective churches about service timings and plan deployment accordingly. Heavy vehicles won't ply within city limits from 6am to 11pm on Christmas," city SP Chandan Jha said.

Insiders said the extra cover had been prompted by incidents of eve-teasing during midnight masses and road rage in the past.

SP Jha maintained that St Joseph's Cathedral in Golmuri and St Anthony's Church in Mango would be guarded by Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) jawans owing to their "natural significance and sensitive location".

St Joseph's hosts the Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur head office and witnesses a gathering of over 2,000 from across the city when Bishop Felix Toppo delivers his Christmas message. St Anthony's, on the other hand, is tucked away in the communally sensitive pocket of Jawaharnagar, Mango, a neighbourhood that witnessed severe arson and clashes earlier this year.

Other churches that will witness large crowds of the faithful during Friday's morning service include Northern Town's Beldih Baptist Church and St George's Church, GEL Church in Sonari and Sitaramdera, St Mark's Church in Mango and Church of our Lady of Guadalupe in Telco.

Traffic police too will be on their toes to ensure safe and peaceful revelry.

"Our men at all the five traffic outposts in Bistupur, Sakchi, Golmuri, Mango and Jugsalai have been directed to keep strict vigil on approach roads to churches and initiate action against revellers who indulge in rash driving or ride bikes without helmets," said traffic DSP Vivekananda Thakur.

Thakur added that the entry ban on heavy vehicles was being imposed for the first time to avoid blood spill on a merry day. "People come out in droves to celebrate Christmas; they go for picnics and parties. Accident on such a day is the last thing that should happen."

Vicar general of Catholic Diocese of Jamshedpur Father David Vincent appreciated the steps taken by the district administration and police. "Better security for Christmas will instil confidence in the faithful, especially women."